Chinese New Year: Pot sticker recipe

By
Mavis Li
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0
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from [http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4rWaL8r4b6E/UJoR88BW8hI/AAAAAAAAAEY/md19cZZpLRM/s1600/jiaozi.gif]
Cooked Dumpings, [web]
It’s almost Chinese New Year! This special Chinese holiday occurs on the first of every year in accordance to the lunar calender. This year, it happens to fall on Jan. 31 on our traditional calender. It is a festive celebration that involves meeting up with friends and relatives, lots of music, and cultural spirit. Of course, many delicious foods are eaten at this time of year. In the yearly Chinese celebration, this Thursday, New Year’s Eve, is the occasion for dumplings!

Although cooked dumplings are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Eve, here is a yummy pot sticker – basically just fried dumplings – recipe for everyone to try out; good luck!

Ingredients:

  • Dumpling dough
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • Filling:
  • 8 ounces celery cabbage (Napa cabbage)
  • 3 tsp salt, divided
  • 1 pound lean ground pork
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions, with tops
  • 1 TB white wine
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Dash white pepper
  • Dipping Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Other:
  • 2 – 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preparation:

  1. Cut the cabbage across into thin strips. Mix with 2 teaspoons salt and set aside for 5 minutes. Squeeze out the excess moisture.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the celery cabbage, pork, green onions, wine, cornstarch, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and the white pepper.
  3. In a bowl, mix the flour and 1 cup boiling water until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly flour surface about 5 minutes, or until smooth.
  4. Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a roll 12 inches long and cut each roll into 1/2-inch slices.
  5. Roll 1 slice of dough into a 3-inch circle and place 1 tablespoon pork mixture in the center of the circle. Lift up the edges of the circle and pinch 5 pleats up to create a pouch to encase the mixture. Pinch the top together. Repeat with the remaining slices of dough and filling.
  6. Heat a wok or nonstick skillet until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, tilting the wok to coat the sides. If using a nonstick skillet, add 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil. Place 12 dumplings in a single layer in the wok and fry 2 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown.
  7. Add 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook 6 to 7 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Repeat with the remaining dumplings.
  8. To make a dipping sauce, in a small bowl, mix the soy sauce with 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Serve with the dumplings.

Recipe taken from http://chinesefood.about.com/od/potstickers/r/potstickers.htm

Find a delicious traditional cooked dumpling recipe here: http://chinesefood.about.com/od/dimsumdumplings/r/jiaozi.htm

Want to get into the spirit of Chinese New Year? There are currently many activities taking place around the city, especially in downtown Chinatown. Check out http://chinatowncalgary.com/events.html for more details.